Luke 7:24–35

Jesus Speaks about John—Matthew 11:7–19

²⁴When John’s messengers had left, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John. “What did you go into the desert to see? Tall grass swaying in the wind? ²⁵Really, what did you go to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Those who wear splendid clothes and live in luxury are in royal palaces. ²⁶Really, what did you go to see? A prophet? Let me tell you that he is far more than a prophet. ²⁷John is the one about whom Scripture says, 

‘I am sending my messenger ahead of you 

to prepare the way in front of you.’ 

²⁸I can guarantee that of all the people ever born, no one is greater than John. Yet, the least important person in God’s kingdom is greater than John. 

²⁹“All the people, including tax collectors, heard John. They admitted that God was right by letting John baptize them. ³⁰But the Pharisees and the experts in Moses’ Teachings rejected God’s plan for them. They refused to be baptized. 

³¹“How can I describe the people who are living now? What are they like? ³²They are like children who sit in the marketplace and shout to each other, 

‘We played music for you, 

but you didn’t dance. 

We sang a funeral song, 

but you didn’t cry.’ 

³³John the Baptizer has come neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘There’s a demon in him!’ ³⁴The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! He’s a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 

³⁵“Yet, wisdom is proved right by all its results.”